In a post last year, I reported that Illinois House Bill 4488 (HB4488) moved the general election petition deadline from late June to late May AND shortened to petition period from 90 days to 60 days. The deadline change to late May was correct, but the petition period shortening was incorrect. It remained at 90 days, so the petition period will start in late February, not late March.

However, this is still a significant blow to the ballot access prospects of independent and minor party candidates in Illinois. The first four weeks of the petitioning period will now literally be during the winter season. And, I can personally attest to how winterlike early Spring can be in Illinois.

Possibly more importantly, most farmers markets and festivals, which are frequently good petitioning locations, don’t open until June in Illinois, largely eliminating that source of signatures for potential candidates.

It is possible litigation will be forthcoming from parties harmed by this legislation.

The lawsuit challenging many Texas ballot access laws is docketed in the U.S. Supreme Court. 24-854, Miller v Nelson. The state’s response is due March 13.

South Carolina Senator A. Shane Massey (R-Edgefield) has introduced SB 205, to include write-in space on general election ballots for President. South Carolina has only had government-printed ballots starting in 1950. It has always had write-in space for all office except President.

Other states that allow write-ins for other office in general elections, but not for president, are Alaska, Arkansas and New Mexico.